Last Thursday, I attended the Mass of Installation for Archbishop Henning at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston’s South End. That magnificent church was filled to capacity with so many people who came to this extraordinary gathering. A new, talented, and hope-filled Archbishop has now begun his ministry serving the people of God in the Archdiocese of Boston. We wish him well. We know what a blessing he was to us in his brief time among us. Sitting in the Cathedral, I offered a prayer of gratitude to God for the message of hope Archbishop Henning so faithfully brought from one corner of our state to the other. He clearly reminds us that hope is essential for all disciples of Christ. Hope distinguishes us as followers of the Risen Christ and our example of hope attracts others to follow Jesus.
Although we were disappointed to see Archbishop Henning leave our beloved diocese, we take comfort in the words of the Prophet Ezekial who said: “I will look after my sheep, says the Lord, and I will appoint a shepherd to pasture them, and I, the Lord, will be their God” (Ez 34:11, 23-24).
So, what does that mean for us in Providence? Well, we are now in a period of transition as we await the arrival of a new Bishop of Providence appointed by the Pope. Prayer is essential. First, we ask God to guide and care for us during these days of waiting, anticipation, and transition. We pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis and for those whom the Church entrusts with the responsibility of choosing the new successor. May the Holy Spirit abundantly shower the gift of wisdom upon them.
Second, we pray that our new bishop will be a true shepherd after the Lord’s own heart, leading us to stand fast in faith amid the many challenges our Church faces.
Finally, we pray that the time will be short. Patience is key because no one knows how long it will take. So, in the meantime let us be open to the promptings of the Spirit and the God-given graces we receive from our participation in the Holy Eucharist. Whomever the Holy Father appoints will soon become a full-fledged Rhode Islander. We look forward with joyful expectation to his coming among us.
On November 1 — the Solemnity of All Saints — the College of Consultors (a body of priests which assists in the governance of the diocese) gathered at the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence to perform their canonical duty to elect the Diocesan Administrator. The lot fell to me. My new role is to lead our Diocese of Providence during this period of transition in accord with the prescripts and parameters of Church law. I am especially grateful that the law charges the College of Consultors to assist me in certain matters during this period, while it also instructs that there are to be no major innovations.
Our pastors will continue to serve the needs of their parishes: preaching, teaching and ministering to their parishioners through the gift of the sacraments and the other liturgical rites of the Church. We are in good hands; the work of the Church goes on. I also take great comfort in the men and women religious whose witness builds up the Body of Christ. Finally, I am grateful for the talented and faith-filled people in our central administration. They are an essential part of the new evangelization and dedicated to the mission of the Church. We are blessed.
For over 150 years, the Diocese of Providence has been a beacon of hope for millions of believers who sought to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ on the journey towards Heaven. That is the goal of the Church: to get as many people as possible to Heaven. May Our Lady of Providence continue to intercede for us with her Son and may her example of humble service and openness to the workings of the Spirit be our inspiration. And may the blood of the martyrs, our patrons St. Peter and St. Paul encourage us to be people of faith, hope, and love.
